State, federal charges brought in MDMR probe

JACKSON, Mississippi — The former director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, his son and others have been indicted on federal charges, including conspiring to use the agency’s money to buy property in which some of them had a financial interest.

Officials also say five former employees of the agency have been indicted on state charges after an investigation revealed possible misspending of public money

The indictments were made public on Thursday.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering is demanding repayment of more than $1 million. The demand is divided among 10 people, including former MDMR director Bill Walker and Walker’s former chief of staff.